Dispensing closure for collapsible tubes



March 27, 1956 C. M. DEL MAS DISPENSING CLOSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed June 10. 1953 United States Patent 6 DISPENSING CLUSURE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Christy M. Del Mas, New York, N. Y., assignor to Michael P. Grace, New York, N. Y.

Application June 10, 1953, Serial No. 360,767

6 Claims. (Cl. 22278) This invention relates to dispensing and more particularly to a dispensing closure for collapsible tubes. The invention contemplates the provision of a closure which may be conveniently attached to a collapsible tube by threaded engagement with the usual threaded neck provided thereon. The closure is intended to simulate a fanciful figure or head and is provided with a valve, portions of which form significant parts of the head.

Heretofore many types of closures for collapsible tubes have been developed and produced but many of these were relatively unsatisfactory due to difiiculty in cleaning, failure of mechanical parts, inconvenience in use etc. Furthermore many of these prior art devices were of such a nature as to merely constitute a fad or to provide eye appeal for the purpose of stimulating sales as a consequence of which such devices were often used for a relatively short time and discarded.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a dispensing closure for collapsible tubes which may be economically fabricated in mass production and which may be marketed independently of the tubes to which the closure is to be applied.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing closure for collapsible tubes which may be conveniently molded of rubber, plastic or other suitable material, which closure may simulate a fancifui figure or head.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing closure for collapsible tubes and including a valve for closing a dispensing aperture, which valve is resiliently maintained in open or closed position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing closure for collapsible tubes which closure simulates a fanciful figure or head and is provided with a valve for closing a dispensing aperture, portions of the valve constituting significant parts of the fanciful head.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a. dispensing closure for collapsible tubes which may be utilized for dispensing paste, liquid or granular material and which may be conveniently cleaned and sterilized when necessary.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a dispensing closure for collapsible tubes simulating a fanciful figure or head, such closure being provided with a valve for closing a dispensing aperture, portions of the valve constituting significant parts of the head, the valve being actuated by engagement of the finger with the portion of the valve simulating the nose of the head and the closure further being of such configuration as to immediately appeal to children of tender age and older. 1

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view showing a dispensing closure constructed in accordance with this in- 2,739,737 Patented Mar. 27, 1956 vention attached to a collapsible tube and with the valve in position for closing the dispensing aperture;

Fig. 2 a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the valve in open position and the manner of operation thereof by a finger of the user; I

Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view showing the valve in open position with material being dispensed from the dispensing aperture and further showing the collapsible tube in partially collapsed condition and indicat ing the relationship of the fingers grasping the tube to the dispensing closure; 7

Fig. 4 a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and showing the manner of attaching the spring for holding the valve in open or closed position to the interior of the closure;

Fig. 5 a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2

and particularly showing the mounting of the valve; and- Fig. 6 a sectional view on theline 6-6 of Fig. 1 further showing the manner of attachment of the valve spring.

With continued reference to the drawing there is shown a dispensing closure constructed in accordance with this invention and comprising a generally hollow body 10 which may be conveniently molded in two parts of rubber, plastic or any other suitable material by conventional molding and fabricating processes. Obviously if desired, the closure of this invention may be made by processes other than molding, such as carving the same from a block of wood or other suitable material, but since such latter process would be'considerably more costly the molding process of manufacture is to be preferred.

The body 10 of the dispensing closure of this invention isvprovided with a hollow head portion 11 which is intended to simulate a fanciful head or figure, such as those currently appealing to and enjoyed by children. The head portion llrnay be provided at the top thereof with a portion 12 simulating'a hat or other headcovering and the lower portion of the head 11 is reduced to form a neck 13 provided with internal threads 14 for threadedly and detachably engaging thethreaded neck 15 of a collapsible tube 16; The neck 13 is provided with an outwardly and downwardly flared portion 17 for engaging the upper end 18 of the collapsible tube 16 and the the lips of the mouth portion of the figure or head, such simulated lips being of somewhat bulbous formation to present a ludicrous appearance.

In order to close the dispensing aperture 21 a valve 23 may be'provided which may. conveniently comprise a relatively fiat elongated lever 24 pivotally mounted in and extending through an aperture therein and embedded in the material of the-head 11 as, clearly-shown in Fig. 5. Securedto the outer-end of lever 24 is a valve member 27 which may take the form of a ball or which may be provided with any other desired configuration. When in closed position as shown in Fig. 1 the ball 27 is in intimate contact with the wall 22 surrounding the dispensing aperture 21 and effectively closes the aperture 21 to prevent flow of material therethrough from the passage 20.

The inner end of lever 24 is provided with a cam surface having lower portions 28 and 29 and a raised or high formit-y with theconfiguration-oftbe' remainderof-the fanciful head but in addition; to completing the appearance of such head the nose portion 31 accomplishes another function which willalso be presently described.

Disposed within the head 11 is an elongated curved spring 32 with a portion thereof extending beneath tabs or loops 33 formed integrally with the material of the head 11 with the adjacent end of the spring 32 being received in a socket 34. formed in the material of the head. Obviously, if desired, the's'pring 32 may be attached to the head 11 by any other suitable means such as screw threaded fasteners, driven or headed fasteners or a suitable adhesive. The opposite end' of spring 32 terminates. in a curved portion 35 engaging the cam surface onthe inner end of lever 24. As shown in Fig. l the end 35 of spring 32 is in engagment with the portion 28 of the cam surface and in this position resiliently urges the nose por-v tion 31 outwardly of the head 11 and consequently urges the ball 27 into engagement with the wall 22 surrounding dispensing aperture 21 to resiliently maintain the valve 23 in closed position.

When it is desired to open the valve 23 for dispensing purposes the nose portion 31 may be engaged by a finger 36 of the user and moved inwardly as shown in Fig. 2 at which time the end 35 of spring 32 will pass over the raised or high portion 30 of the cam surface and engage the other low portion 29' to resiliently maintain the valve 23 in open position as shown in Figs, 2 and 3.

At this time as shown in Fig. 3 the collapsible tube 16 may be grasped by the fingers 37 and thumb 38 of the user to squeeze the same and'force the contents 39 there: of through the neck of, the collapsible tube 16, the passage 20 of the dispensing closure 10 and out through the dispensing aperture 21 to be spread on a toothbrush or other implement 40. Upon dispensing the desired quantity of material 39 the valve 23 may be closed by engaging the ball 27 with the finger 36 and moving the ball inwardly toward the dispensing aperture 21 at which time, the end 35 of spring 32 will again pass over the raised or high portion 30 of the cam surface on the lever 24 and againengage the low portion 28 of the cam surface to resiliently maintain the valve 23 in closed position. This closing of the valve 23 by a more or less snap action will result in cutting ofi the stream of material flowing from the dispensing aperture 21 thereby providing a clean break in suchstream.

In order to facilitate assembly of the spring 32 and the valve member 23 with the dispensing closure of this invention, the same may be molded or otherwise formed in two parts'41 and42 .which'after assembly of thespring 32 and valve member 23'with: the halfportion 41 may be joined with the other half portion 42 by any suitable means such as an adhesive43 to complete fabrication of the device.

It will be seen that by the above described invention there has been provided a dispensing closure which ma be conveniently attached orremoved from a conventional collapsible tube, which closure presents an appearance pleasing to children and which also incorporates valve means for effectively closing a dispensing aperture. By way of providing a further appeal to children the valve member of the closure of this invention is operated by engagement of the users finger withthe nose of the fanciful head or figure and obviously a child would enjoy using this device thus efieptively encouraging the use of toothpaste or other dentifrice and the IilteQthereby promoting increasedhealth in thechild or other. person us-' ing the device.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that a s y be ma e he invent o i o dep r n from the spirit and s'eope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by. that which isshown in the draw ing and descrih edlin the specificationfbut only as indicated in the appendedclaims.

opening and terminating in a dispensing aperture sirnulat ing the mouth of said head, a slot in said body, a valve said. lever on said, body, a valve member fixed to the What is claimed is:

ing a hollow body simulating a fanciful head, a neck portion having an internally threaded opening for threadedly engaging the neck of a collapsible tube, a skirt depending from said neck portion for surrounding a portion of a collapsible tube, a passage extending from said threaded for closing said dispensing aperture, said valve comprising a lever disposed in said slot, means pivotally mounting said lever on saidbody, a ball fixed to the outer end of said lever and engaging the wall surrounding said dispensing aperture to close the same, the inner end of said lever extending inwardly of said body and provided with a cam surface having low portions separated by a high portion, a spring secured within said body and engaging one low portion'of said cam surface to resiliently maintain said valve in closed position and prevent inadvertentdispensing of the contents of said collapsible tube, a portion of the inner end of said lever extending outwardly of said body through said slot to provide a finger engaging portion simulating the nose of said head whereby uponmovement of said finger engaging portion inwardly said ball will be moved away from said dispensing aperture.

and the other low portion of said cam surface will move into engagement with said spring to maintain said valve in open position and permit dispensing of the contents ofsaid collapsible tube through said dispensing aperture.

-2 A dispensing closure for collapsible tubes comprising a'hollow body simulating a fanciful head, a neck portion having an opening for detachably engaging the neckof a collapsible tube, a passage extending from saidopening and terminating in a dispensing aperture simulatingthe mouth of said head, a slot in said body, a valve for closing said dispensing aperture, said valve compri'singa IEVCI'dlSPOSEd in said slot, means pivotally mounting said lever on said body, a ball fixed to the outer end of said lever and engaging the wall surrounding said dispensing aperture to close the same, the inner end of said lever extending inwardly of said body and provided with acam surface having low portions separatedby a high portion,

a spring secured within said body and engaging one low portion of said cam surface to resiliently maintain said valve in closed position and prevent inadvertent dispensing of the contents of said collapsible tube, a portion-ofthe inner end of said lever extending outwardly of said: body through said slot to provide a finger engaging portion simulating the nose of said head whereby upon movement .of said timer engaging portion inwardly said ballwill be moved .away from said dispensing aperture and the other low portion of said cam surface will move into. engagement with'said spring to maintain said valve in. open position and permit dispensing of the contents-of said collapsible tube through said dispensing aperture.

3. A dispensing closureiforcollapsible tubes compris ing a hollow body simulating a fanciful head, a neck pot-i tion having an opening for detachably engaging the neck: of a collapsible tube, a passage extending from said open-v ing: and terminating in a dispensing aperture simulating the mouth of said head, a slot in said body, a valveefor closing said dispensing'aperture, said valve comprising a: lever disposedin' said slot, means pivotally. mounting outer end of said lever and engaging'the wall surrounds ing said dispensing aperture to close the same, the, innerend of said. lever extending inwardly of said body and provided with a cam surface having low'portions sepa: rated by a high portion, resilient means secured within: said body and engaging one low portion .of said cam surface-to resiliently maintain said valvein closed position and, prevent inadvertent dispensing of the contents of;-

said collapsible tube, a portion of the inner end of said lever extendingoutwardly of said body through said .slot: to provide a finger engaging portion simulating the nose of said head whereby upon movement of said finger engaging portion inwardly said valve member will be moved away from said dispensing aperture and the other low portion of said cam surface will move into engagement with said resilient means to maintain said valve in open position and permit dispensing of the contents of said collapsible tube through said dispensing aperture.

4. A dispensing closure for collapsible tubes comprising a hollow body simulating a fanciful head, a neck portion having an opening for detachably engaging the neck of a collapsible tube, a passage extending from said opening and terminating in a dispensing aperture simulating the mouth of said head, a valve for closing said dispensing aperture, said valve comprising a lever pivotally mounted in said body, a valve member fixed to the outer end of said lever and engaging the wall surrounding said dispensing aperture to close the same, the inner end of said lever extending inwardly of said body and provided with a cam surface, resilient means secured within said body and engaging one portion of said cam surface to resiliently maintain said valve in closed position and prevent inadvertent dispensing of the contents of said collapsible tube, a portion of the inner end of said lever extending outwardly of said body to provide a finger engaging portion simulating the nose of said head whereby upon movement of said finger engaging portion inwardly said valve member will be moved away from said dispensing aperture and another portion of said cam surface will move into engagement with said resilient means to maintain said valve in open position and permit dispensing of the contents of said collapsible tube through said dispensing aperture.

5. A dispensing closure for collapsible tubes comprising a hollow body simulating a fanciful head, a neck portion having an opening for detachably engaging the neck of a collapsible tube, a passage extending from said opening and terminating in a dispensing aperture simulating the mouth of said head, a valve for closing said dispensing aperture, said valve comprising a lever pivotally mounted in said body, a valve member fixed to the outer end of said lever outwardly of said body and engaging the exterior wall surrounding said dispensing aperture to close the same, the inner end of said lever extending inwardly of said body, means secured within said body and engaging one portion of said lever to releasably maintain said valve in closed or open position and prevent inadvertent dispensing of the contents of said collapsible tube, a portion of the inner end of said lever extending outwardly of said body to provide a finger engaging portion simulating the nose of said head whereby upon movement of said finger engaging portion inwardly said valve member will be moved away from said dis pensing aperture and another portion of said lever will move into engagement with said means to maintain said valve in open position and permit dispensing of the contents of said collapsible tube through said dispensing aperture.

6. A dispensing closure for collapsible tubes comprising a hollow body simulating a fanciful head, a neck portion having an opening for detachably engaging the neck of a collapsible tube, a passage extending from said opening and terminating in a dispensing aperture simulating the mouth of said head, a valve for closing said dispensing aperture, said valve comprising a lever pivotally mounted in said body, a valve member fixed to the outer end of said lever outwardly of said body and engaging the exterior wall surrounding said dispensing aperture to close the same, the inner end of said lever extending inwardly of said body, means engaging one portion of said lever to releasably maintain said valve in closed or open position and prevent inadvertent dispensing of the contents of said collapsible tube, a portion of the inner end of said lever extending outwardly of said body to provide a finger engaging portion simulating the nose of said head whereby upon movement of said finger engaging portion inwardly said valve member will be moved away from said dispensing aperture and another portion of said lever will move into engagement with said means to maintain said valve in open position and permit dispensing of the contents of said collapsible tube through said dispensing aperture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 330,812 Ward Nov. 17, 1885 781,332 Demacakos Jan. 31, 1905 1,484,589 Trubek Feb. 19, 1924 1,852,198 Bemis Apr. 5, 1932 2,121,118 Cooper June 21, 1938 2,294,594 Bloomfield Sept. 1, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 277,946 Switzerland Dec. 17,1951 

